Before landing his role as Lucas Scott on the hit drama One Tree Hill, Chad Michael Murray had only appeared in small parts on shows like Gilmore Girls and Dawson’s Creek. However, joining the main cast of One Tree Hill in the early 2000s meant much greater expectations, including participating in promotional events for the show.
Murray described that initial transition as intimidating.
I was like, ‘Welcome to Hollywood, kid. Go do this.’
The sudden spotlight was overwhelming, especially as he adjusted to the pressures of fame and public appearances.
He recalled pivotal early moments that showcased how rapidly the show grew in popularity.
I remember our first time doing Planet Hollywood, and doing TRL,
he said.
I mean, it still blows my mind to this day.
These appearances made him realize the massive impact the series was starting to have.
Reflecting on how much time he devoted to the series, the actor noted its role in shaping his early adulthood.
This is where I spent the majority of my twenties,
Murray shared with People.
The Cast’s Close-Knit Bond Formed Away from Home
For Murray, the experience of working on One Tree Hill went well beyond a typical job. The series was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, far from the familiar surroundings of Los Angeles, prompting the cast to form a familial connection.
You know, I think that one of the things that was special about the show is that you’re moving to Wilmington, North Carolina, right? You’re not in Los Angeles, you’re not home,
he explained.
And so, you have to make it your home. Who are the people that you’re seeing every day? It’s your cast. So your cast becomes your family. You’re with them all the time, 24/7. You’re planning dinner, and you’re going to go out on the weekends together, and you’re doing all your press tours together. So you really are doing all of this together as a team.
Murray specifically mentioned growing up alongside fellow cast members like Hilarie Burton, Sophie Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz, and James Lafferty.
You just kind of look at each other and you go, ‘Man, we were just, you know, kids when we started,’
he reflected.
And now I look back and obviously I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re still kids back then,’ which blows my mind. But you know each other so well, so every scene you could just click [snaps his fingers] right in.
Murray’s Early Confidence in the Show’s Longevity
Even years after One Tree Hill ended, Chad Michael Murray remains widely recognized for his role as Lucas Scott. From the outset, he had a strong instinct that the show would resonate deeply and endure over time.
The reason I say that is because I knew when I read the script, there was one thing I wrote on the front of the script, I just wrote: This show has legs,
he explained.
I just meant that because I thought ‘This show could go anywhere.’ It could just go on and on and on.
He admitted that while he didn’t fully realize how prescient his feeling was at the time, it was clear the series had the potential to be long-lasting.
But it just felt like this was the show that was going to go on.
Enduring Impact of One Tree Hill on Murray’s Life
Chad Michael Murray’s time on One Tree Hill shaped not only his career but also his personal life during crucial formative years. The close relationships developed with his castmates helped create a supportive environment that extended beyond the set, providing a shared sense of family away from home.
Now, decades after the show’s debut, Murray continues to reflect on the bonds and experiences that emerged from his role as Lucas Scott, underscoring how this defining chapter influenced both his work and life in lasting ways.
